One of the underpublicized double-doubles in boys high school basketball belongs to Roncalli High School.
The Rebels have produced 14 consecutive seasons of 10 or more victories.
Michael Wantz, who not coincidentally is entering his 15th year as head coach, returns enough talent from last season’s 14-8 squad to keep the streak going.
Six-foot senior guard Christian Stewart is back after leading Roncalli in scoring (18.7), assists (4.1) and steals (1.5). The towering interior presence is that of 6-9 senior post Collin Sonderman, who averaged 10.6 points and a team-high seven rebounds.
Stewart, who has committed to play at Marian University, made good on 48 of 98 of his 3-point field goal attempts last year. He also proved virtually automatic at the free-throw stripe by knocking down 111 of 124 (.895).
He surpassed the 30-point mark on two occasions — a career-best 36 in a win against Ritter and 31 in a two-point loss to Decatur Central.
Sonderman collected 10 or more rebounds four times last season, his high of 12 coming in the Rebels’ 71-54 win against Center Grove.
Junior Bryson Meek, a 6-3 guard/forward, averaged 9.1 points and 4.5 boards last season; 6-4 forward Jack Hegwood (4.7 ppg, 4 rpg), is another player back who gained valuable varsity experience.
Roncalli’s strong junior group continues with guards Reese McGinsie, Drew Fleming, Joe Kirkhoff, Kegan Owen and 6-3 forward Kellen Schreiber.
“If you play a sophomore on varsity, by the time they’re seniors it’s old hat,” said Wantz, whose 206-101 record (.671) with the Rebels includes four sectional championships and the program’s lone regional title (2004-05).
Even if the Roncalli football team defeats East Central tonight in a Class 4A semistate, Wantz said his squad will still play the scheduled season opener on Nov. 26 at home against Perry Meridian.
Only two players on his roster, Alex Kuntz and Conner Gore, are part of coach Bruce Scifres’ football team.
Roncalli’s eight football state championships since 1985 have given the school its deserved reputation as a football power. Slowly, surely, the Rebels are showing they can hoop as well.
“I think early on it had its challenges,” Wantz said. “Bruce is great to work with, and competing for a state championship is always a good thing.”
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Coach: Michael Wantz
Last year: 14-8 overall; lost to Southport in Southport Sectional semifinal
Who’s back: F Jack Hegwood, G Joe Kirkhoff, G Alex Kuntz, G Bryson Meek, G Kellen Schreiber, G Christian Stewart, F-C Collin Sonderman
Who’s gone: Andrew Fey
New kids on the block: G Drew Fleming, G Reese McGinsie, G Kegan Owen
Outlook: Roncalli features one of the area’s more formidable inside-outside combinations with the return of Stewart and Sonderman. The Rebels benefit by playing four of their first six games at home before participating in the four-team Floyd Central tournament on Dec. 22.
Wantz Says: “We’re excited. It all starts with Christian, and he and Collin complement each other very well. We only graduated one player, so we’ve been able to hit the ground running. We have great competition in practice because we’re so deep.”
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Date;Opponent;Time
Nov. 26;Perry Meridian;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 2;at Guerin Catholic;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 9;Whiteland;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 10;at Lafayette Central Catholic;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 13;Scecina;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 16;Brebeuf Jesuit;7:30 p.m.
Dec. 22;at Floyd Central tournament
Dec. 30;Chatard;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 6;at Beech Grove;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 10-14;at Marion County tournament
Jan. 17;Guerin Catholic;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 20;New Palestine;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 21;at Center Grove;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 27;Ritter;7:30 p.m.
Jan. 28;at Greenwood;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 2;at Chatard;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 10;Cathedral;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 14;Franklin;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 17;at Franklin Central;7:30 p.m.
Feb. 24;at Brebeuf Jesuit;7:30 p.m.
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